St. Patrick’s Day fun in Ottawa and beyond

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There are lots of ways to celebrate all things Irish in and around Ottawa on St. Patrick’s Day. Or before St. Patrick’s Day. Or after. Truly, the Celtic festivities this year stretch out for a week or more on either side of the official day, which falls on Tuesday, March 17. Here’s your guide to music, dances, parades, trivia nights and all sorts of other Irish goings-on.

Saturday, March 7

• The Ottawa St. Patrick’s Day Parade will wind from the Supreme Court of Canada to the ByWard Market.
• The Arnprior Curling Club is hosting a St. Patrick’s Day Bash to raise money to renovate the club. The fun will include live kitchen party music by the Ghost Town Cryers Band, prizes, a 50/50 draw, a late meal and a cash bar.

Thursday, March 12

• Valley Heritage Radio is hosting an afternoon concert with Robin Averill and Seamus Costello, followed by an on-air St. Patrick’s Day Bonus Bingo that night at 7pm.

March 13 to 17 at the Heart and Crown

• The Heart and Crown pub in Ottawa’s ByWard Market is presenting a jam-packed roster of Irish musical acts, beginning on the evening of Friday, March 13, and continuing (with a breather on Monday) until very late on St. Patrick’s Day (Tuesday, March 17).

Friday, March 13

• Tripoly and the Grenville Troubadours are hosting an Irish singalong at St. John’s United Church in Kemptville.
• You can test your wits at the St. Paddy’s Trivia Night at the myFM Centre in Renfrew.
• There’s also a St. Patrick’s Day Trivia Night at the Ladysmith Recreation Centre in Ladysmith (Thorne), Quebec.

Saturday, March 14

• The St. Patrick’s Day Bar Crawl will take revellers to four different bars in the ByWard Market.
• Craft Beer Market at Lansdowne Park is holding a Shamrock Shindig.
• In the afternoon, you can enjoy an Irish Tea at the Quyon Community Centre and/or an Irish Kitchen Party at the Quyon Legion.
• There’s an evening St. Patrick’s Day Dance at the Shawville United Church Hall.
• Valley Heritage Radio in Renfrew is hosting a live Kitchen Party with music by Cashman Ford and Ali McCormack (1pm to 2pm).
• The Town of Arnprior is holding separate afternoon and evening editions of its St. Paddy’s Party at the Nick Smith Centre.
• A Pot of Stew at the End of the Rainbow is an evening of Irish stew, music, trivia and poetry at Arts Hub Brockville.
• The DACA Centre in Dacre is hosting an afternoon St. Paddy’s Day Party with live music, step dancers and Irish stew.
• There’s a St. Patrick’s Dance in Sheenboro, Quebec, featuring tunes by Will O Music and a light meal.

Sunday, March 15

• Comhaltas Ceoltóirí Éirann (Ottawa Irish Arts) is throwing a St. Patrick’s Day ceili (dance) at the St. Brigid’s Centre in Lowertown on the afternoon of Sunday, March 15. The Ottawa Ceili Band will provide the music, and Irish dancers of all skill levels will be invited to take to the floor. Free soda bread, tea and cheese will be available. Advance ticket purchase recommended.
• Motel Chelsea in Chelsea is hosting an afternoon St. Patrick’s Day Celebration with music by JIG and Kelly Sloan.
• Orchard View Gardens in Almonte is holding an afternoon St. Patrick’s Day Open House with live music. Advance registration required.
• Stretching from the afternoon into the early evening, the Legendary St. Patrick’s Day Party at Gavan’s Hotel in Quyon features entertainment by Gail Gavan, The Ryans, Louis Schryer, Lorne Daley, Pauline Brown Dancers and more.

Tuesday, March 17

• At the Mill Tavern in Manotick, you can choose from a St. Patrick’s Day menu of $10 items from 11am to 1:30pm, if you buy tickets in advance.
• Motel Chelsea’s St. Patrick’s Day Celebration includes music from Ruckustodian and Doug McArthur, which you can enjoy with Guinness Irish stew.
• There’s a St. Patrick’s Day Dance at the Stewart Community Centre in Pakenham with live music by The Ryans.
• St. James Gate Irish Pub in Carleton Place is featuring live music all day by Cait Porteous, Bryan Snider and Wild Nashville.
• Tripoly and the Grenville Troubadours are hosting an Irish singalong at Holy Trinity Anglican Church in Merrickville.
• The Perth Legion’s St. Patrick’s Day afternoon celebration will include Irish stew and live music.
• St. Paddy’s Day at the Cove Inn in Westport will feature live music by The Celtic Kitchen Party.

March 17 to 21 in Hudson

• The Soulanges Irish Society Celtic Festival in and around Hudson, Quebec, features five days of concerts and fun, culminating in a parade on Saturday, March 21.

Saturday, March 21

• You can enjoy a St. Patrick’s-themed board game night at Equator Coffee in Almonte.

Sunday, March 22

• Last but not least, Montreal will stage its large St. Patrick’s Day Parade on Sunday, March 22.

Looking for more tips on things to see and do in and around Ottawa? Subscribe to my free weekly newsletter or order a copy of my book, Ottawa Road Trips: Your 100-km Getaway Guide.

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